The man who had sworn just the night before to love her for a lifetime was now, before her very eyes, entangled in an intimate act with her sister. The scene churned Michelle's stomach with disgust.

"Parker, you're so bad! Sneaking into my room in the middle of the night to do this. Aren't you afraid my sister will find out?" Janet's voice quivered, broken by breathy gasps as Parker relentlessly continued, almost as if he wanted to drive her past her limits.

He replied, "Who came to my house to seduce me first? You changed your mind now? You wish!"

***

Michelle crouched on the ground, clutching her mouth to muffle her sobs as tears spilled uncontrollably down her face.

Her cries, filled with despair, tore at her throat until it felt raw and stung. Why did it still hurt so much after she had already decided to let go?

Parker, how could you treat me this way? At sixteen, you shyly wrote me a heartfelt love letter. At eighteen, you held my hand and promised to love me forever.

Did you forget all of that? Her weeping drained all her strength, leaving her collapsed on the bed, tears flowing silently until dawn.

Before the first light of day, Parker finally returned, his body carrying an overpowering scent of women's perfume, "Come on, sleepyhead. It's time to get up and head to the beach for our wedding photos," he said as if nothing had happened.

Michelle responded with a soft mumbling, but the redness of her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

Parker assumed her low mood stemmed from her 'friend's' issue and gently reassured her. He said, "Don't be upset, sweetheart. Some relationships are meant to end when the timing is right. But with the same timing, the right person will also appear." Michelle gazed deeply at him but remained silent.

Half an hour later, Michelle was ready to leave. However, she discovered Parker and Janet waiting by the door.

Janet flashed a pleading smile and clung to her arm, "Michelle, can I join you two at the beach for the photoshoot?"

Michelle's lips curved into a faint smile. Her eyes lingered on Janet's suitcase for a moment before she asked, "What if I say no? Will you not come?"

Parker hadn't expected her refusal and stumbled over his words in a panic, "I … I'm sorry, darling. I only agreed because she's your sister. If you don't want her to join, it'll just be the two of us. Don't be mad, okay?"

Janet's forced smile wavered, on the verge of tears. She began employing her usual pitiful tactics.

Yet, to her surprise, Michelle suddenly laughed aloud, "Why are you two so nervous? Relax, I was joking."

Her eyes narrowed as she added mockingly, "Unless you're feeling guilty about something you're hiding from me?"

Parker's demeanor shifted subtly, his eyes betraying his unease as he blurted out, "Of course not!" But Michelle ignored him, turning and walking straight to the car, leaving the two behind.

The drive to the beach was filled with silence as Michelle stared at the ocean ahead. The salty breeze lifted some of the weight off her heart.

Parker, however, fidgeted anxiously. Pulling her into his arms, he whispered, "Sweetheart, she's your sister in name. If we didn't bring her, I was afraid people might think you're jealous of Janet."

The excuse was so laughable that Michelle couldn't suppress a smirk. Jealous? How could he be so good at making excuses for himself! Michelle pulled the corners of her lips and said nothing.

Her silence pushed Parker into desperation. His eyes reddened with emotion as he asked, "Sweetheart, do you not love me anymore?"

"And do you love me?" Michelle's smile turned faintly amused, her gaze tinged with icy sarcasm.

"Of course I do! No one in this world will ever love you more than I do!" Parker's voice brimmed with conviction, his sharp eyes filled with what seemed like sincerity.

But Michelle knew she'd rather have never believed that sincerity shining in his eyes.

"I'm tired. Let me rest for a while," Michelle said.

Just as she expected, Parker and Janet wasted no time indulging in their inappropriate behavior, even on a boat.

The pain in her heart turned to cold determination as Michelle pressed the record button on her phone. It wasn't until the boat docked that their frenzy finally stopped.

While Michelle was in the backstage room preparing for the photoshoot, Janet handed her an ornate box and said, "Michelle, this is my engagement gift for you. I just know you'll love it," Janet said, her smile brimming with smugness before she walked off, looking as proud as a peacock.

Staring at the box for a long moment, Michelle hesitated. She couldn't imagine anything good inside, her heart aching faintly.

Summoning her courage, she opened it. An overwhelming stench hit her immediately, six used condoms and a tattered piece of vulgar lingerie. The revulsion was so strong that Michelle retched, her face turning deathly pale.

Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Janet: [Do you like the gift? Parker loved it.]

Eyes burning with unshed tears, Michelle let out a bitter laugh before anger overtook her, causing a mouthful of blood to spill from her lips.

At that very moment, Parker walked into the room, his face alarmed as he saw her, "Honey! Why are you coughing up blood?" Parker's voice was panicked as he swept her into his arms, carrying her towards the boat.

"We're not taking any photos! We're going to the hospital now," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Michelle resisted his hold, managing a faint smile, "I'm fine."

Parker's face darkened with rare seriousness, "Honey, I forbid you to neglect your health like this."

Under his insistent demands, she was taken to the hospital. It was only when the doctor's report confirmed that Michelle was unharmed that Parker finally relaxed.

"I told you there was no way something could happen to my sister," Janet said, tone sweet yet cloying, but her words were interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Smith couple.

the Smith couple looked worried and nervously checked Janet's body, "What happened? Why are you at the hospital? Janet, say something! Don't scare your mom!"

"Michelle! Is this how you look after your sister? She's ended up in the hospital under your care! What kind of older sister are you?" Adele scolded her.

***

Michelle stood silently, watching the trio's dramatic display. Her face was cold, but there was a trace of scorn in her eyes.

So that's how it was, ten years of being raised by them was worth less than one blood tie.

Parker stepped forward, unable to bear her being wronged, "It was Michelle who wasn't feeling well and she's the one who needed a check-up. What does this have to do with Janet?" he said icily, gripping Michelle's hand tighter, a gesture of support.

"Mrs. Smith, your blatant favoritism is truly shocking," he added, his words hitting their mark as embarrassment flashed across Adele's face.

Looking at them with icy resolve, Michelle spoke slowly and deliberately, "You're right, I've never acted like an older sister. And I'll say it clearly, I have no sister. Janet will never be my sister."

She continued, "Since you've found your biological daughter, don't come looking for me anymore. As for the gratitude I owe you for raising me, I will repay it soon."

Seeing her resolve, Adele softened her tone, "Michelle, dear, that was wrong of me just now, but you should've told us beforehand. That's why I misunderstood!"

"We're family, why bring up repaying debts? Janet will need your and Parker's help in the future. Your father and I can't always be here for her, after all …" she pleaded.

"Michelle, you can't be so selfish as a person," Adele said.

…

Every word stabbed deep into Michelle's heart. She felt an overwhelming bitterness, like a fishbone lodged in her throat, rendering her unable to speak.

"Alright, alright. Dad, Mom, don't blame her anymore. It's all my fault," Janet interjected pitifully, stepping in to play peacemaker. Her frail demeanor immediately won over the Smith couple, their concern shifting entirely to her.

Watching the trio fuss over each other like a loving family, Michelle lowered her gaze.

A wave of nausea surged through her and before she could stabilize herself, her world spun, darkness overtaking her as she fainted.

When she opened her eyes again, Parker was the only one by her bedside, "Where are they?" Michelle asked indifferently.

She was curious. Just moments ago, those people had been imploring her with righteous moral appeals. Now they couldn't even keep up the facade?

Parker held her hand tightly, his eyes full of concern, "Janet fainted too, out of grief because you passed out. Your parents are with her in the next room."

The news evoked no reaction from her. Instead, Michelle turned her gaze to the window.

Swallows were beginning to return, a sign that spring was approaching. Her spring was near as well.

Parker grew increasingly uneasy seeing her detached indifference, as if the once-vibrant Michelle was slipping away from him. Something intangible yet precious was draining from his grasp.

Before he could speak further, Michelle cut in, her voice firm and cold, "They're not my parents. They're Janet's parents."

"Alright, alright." Parker played along, attributing her remarks to the pain caused by her foster parents' favoritism.

The door to the hospital room swung open abruptly. The Smith couple burst in with frantic urgency.

"What are you doing here?" Parker growled, his expression darkening like a storm.

Ignoring his hostility, they dropped to their knees before Michelle, wailing and pleading, "Michelle, the doctor says your sister has end-stage renal disease. She needs a kidney to survive! As her elder sister, you must save her!"

"Your father and I are on our knees begging you! Can you really bear to watch us lose our daughter? If you agree to donate your kidney to Janet, I'll put you on the Smith Family's card registry, alright?"

…

Their cries drew a crowd outside the room. Onlookers gathered at the door, craning their necks to catch the unfolding drama.

Once, the mere mention of being added to the family registry would have been enough for Michelle to gratefully offer everything, even her life, to the Smith Family.

But now, she watched impassively, coldly observing their theatrical performance and their frustration when guilt-tripping her failed.

Turning to Parker, her gaze sharp, she asked bluntly, "And you? Do you think I should give my kidney to Janet?"

Parker hesitated briefly, then shut the door to exclude the prying eyes. Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered, "Honey, all I want is for you to stay healthy. What does anyone else's life have to do with me?"

"But …" Parker faltered slightly, his tone uneasy. "Janet is still your sister. If you don't save her today, I'm afraid you might regret it in the future."

"My Michelle is so kind, how could you live the rest of your life tormented by guilt? So, darling, you need to think this through carefully." His earnest gaze seemed to transfer all decision-making power to her.

Michelle curled her lips into a mocking smile, a flicker of derision flashing in her eyes.

He clearly wanted her to save Janet, yet he cloaked it in the guise of concern, slyly trying to trap her with morality.